The government, to its credit, has reduced subsidies in three of the last six budgets. We appreciate that, and we're highlighting three mechanisms that I mentioned we'd like to see for this year's budget. Those would help reduce another $300 million or $400 million, the key being the Canadian exploration expense. If you successfully find oil and gas, it no longer should qualify as an exploration expense; it's just a cost of doing business.
The second is the accelerated capital cost allowance for the mining sector. Clearly this government very credibly eliminated or is phasing out the ACCA for the oil sands. It makes equal sense to do so for another type of mining, for the mining sector.
The third, the mineral exploration tax credit that we're talking about, was introduced more than seven years ago. It's been renewed year by year, but it was brought in as a short-term mechanism to support the mining industry. Evidence has found that its use declines when the mining industry declines, so that benefit doesn't seem to be there.